News

Volleyball18/06/2015

Czechs head home with thoughts focused on France

Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, June 18, 2015 – The Czech Republic are back home for their latest FIVB Volleyball World League match, with their thoughts firmly fixed on beating France in the Budvar Arena.

A week ago the Czechs lost twice to France in France, results that checked their momentum after they had begun the tournament in solid style, with two wins and two defeats from their away fixtures against Japan and South Korea.

“The beginning of the World League has been average,” Czech coach Zdenek Smejkal said. We have faced three tricky away matches, but we didn’t achieve the results that we thought we could.”

“We are aiming to come second in our group and judging how we have gone so far, if we win our home matches, things will turn out as predicted. We have a chance of payback with France and then we can show Japan and South Korea that we don’t lose home matches and win them both.”

France have made a stellar start to this year’s World League with six wins from six, with only one set lost.

Furthermore they have given themselves a great chance of topping the pool having already won away against Japan and South Korea, but the team that finished fourth at the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, Poland 2014 are still aiming for improvement.

"What bothers me is the succession of errors, because it slows the team’s momentum, but overall we serve very well,” coach Laurent Tille said.

“Serving is a hallmark of our team, varying our services. Although it sounds simple, it takes a lot of work and accuracy and everyday each player makes 30 to 40 services.”